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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y6 Light

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Why we need light to see things

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Slinky or rope, Mirrors and torches, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Why we need light to see things). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes. / Yes, but only at night.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?
  2. True or false? Most things we see do not make their own light. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?
  3. True or false? If you wait long enough in a totally dark room, your eyes will see everything. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Where does the light start, and where must it end?

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
  • Share the objective: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?
  • Step 1: Smooth, shiny surfaces bounce light back neatly, so you can often see yourself.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • Answer: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Could you see a clear reflection in this: a brick? (reflects light well (shiny and smooth) / does not reflect well (dull or rough)) → does not reflect well (dull or rough)Prompt: Is the surface smooth and shiny, or rough and dull?
  2. How can you use a mirror to light up a dark corner with sunlight? (Cover the mirror with paper. / Put the mirror in the dark corner facing the wall. / Break the mirror into pieces. / Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.) → Tilt the mirror so the sunlight bounces into the corner.Prompt: What do mirrors do to light that hits them?

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Why does a dentist use a tiny mirror? (to scare germs away / to see the backs of your teeth / to make your teeth white / to keep your mouth warm) → to see the backs of your teethPrompt: Can the dentist look straight at the back of a tooth?
  2. Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shiny spoon? (reflects light well (shiny and smooth) / does not reflect well (dull or rough)) → reflects light well (shiny and smooth)Prompt: Is the surface smooth and shiny, or rough and dull?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Why we need light to see things.
  • Use concrete materials: slinky or rope.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Road signs and bike reflectors glow when headlights shine on them. Why?

    • A. They are hot.
    • B. They reflect the light straight back towards the driver.
    • C. They store sunlight from the day.
    • D. They have batteries inside.

  2. Question 2

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a woolly jumper (sweater)?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  3. Question 3

    True or false? A mirror makes its own light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: still water in a pond?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  5. Question 5

    Why does a dentist use a tiny mirror?

    • A. to make your teeth white
    • B. to keep your mouth warm
    • C. to see the backs of your teeth
    • D. to scare germs away

  6. Question 6

    Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?

    • A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)
    • B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  7. Question 7

    True or false? You can see your reflection clearly in a woolly jumper (sweater).

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    Why do cars have mirrors?

    • A. to make the car brighter at night
    • B. so drivers can see what is behind them
    • C. to keep the sun off
    • D. to make the car faster

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Answer key: Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

  1. 1. B. They reflect the light straight back towards the driver.

  2. 2. B. does not reflect well (dull or rough)

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  5. 5. C. to see the backs of your teeth

  6. 6. A. reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

  7. 7. B. False

  8. 8. B. so drivers can see what is behind them